Editor's note: CNN's Jill Dougherty is traveling with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Europe. Dougherty filed this report from Prague.

By Jill Dougherty

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet with Pakistan's foreign minister and the army chief of staff Monday on the sidelines of a NATO summit to review where U.S.-Pakistani relations stand, a senior State Department official said.

Clinton's scheduled meeting in Brussels with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is latest in a series of talks this year aimed at repairing the bilateral relationship that was badly strained in 2011 following a raid by U.S. commandos on Osama bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

"Obviously, if you sort of step back a little bit, for us, 2011 was as hard a year in U.S.-Pakistan relations as you can imagine," the official said.

"And so we tried in 2012 to sort of get back into some sensible business with them. Our philosophy has been that it ought to be possible between Pakistan and the United States to systematically identify our shared interests and act on them jointly."

This year, the United States has tried to improve relations between the two countries by focusing on counterterrorism cooperation, Afghanistan's future and improving market access and trade - not aid - with a bilateral investment treaty, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as a matter of practice.

The official said the United States already accounts for 20% of Pakistan's exports.

The last time Clinton met with Pakistan's leadership was in September at the U.N. General Assembly. She also met with Pakistan's president in May during the NATO summit in Chicago, where five common objectives for the two countries were discussed, the official explained.

The objectives included counterterrorism measures, Afghanistan's future, bilateral communication, countering improvised explosive devices that are being used against international troops in Afghanistan and the movement towards an economic trade relationship.

The official spoke to reports aboard Clinton's plane as it was en route Sunday to the Czech Republic capital of Prague. It was the first stop on a week long swing through Europe where she will attend the NATO summit in Brussels.

At the same time Clinton is meeting in Brussels, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Policy Jim Miller will be in Islamabad, Pakistan, for meetings. There will be more meetings later regarding energy issues and another on the strategic relationship between the two countries, the official said.

Two weeks ago, Pakistan's interior minister met in Washington with U.S. law enforcement officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

The official said there is no sense of continued Pakistani hesitation to work with the United States.

The official said the Pakistanis are pressing forward because "they recognize that 2014 is not so far away." The U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

The official described some movement in regards to discussions with the Taliban, whose leadership is mostly based in Pakistan.

While the United States has not met with the Taliban since talks were suspended last March, there have been discussions between the U.S., Pakistan and Afghanistan about providing safe passage for Taliban interested in pursuing reconciliation and peace talks, the official said.

soundoff(69 Responses)

Sojhal Brochal

I disagree with the first few statements, saying that drone attacks benefit Pakistan. They don't, more civilians have been killed than "terrorists", not to mention that drone attacks are illegal, America is conducting these operations without consent and approval of the federal government. Polls show that 97% of Pakistani's disapprove of drone attacks. America shouldnot even be in Afghanistan. if you have sufficient knowledge of applied classical mechanics, you would be able to realize that those airplanes couldn't have taken down the towers, and tower 7 collapsed without even being hit by an airplane. and as for those who said that Pakistan should have been invaded, that is a dumb idea, not only for Pakistan but for America as well. You see the Iraq war cost America trillions of dollars, you would need pretty big gains in order for that war to be beneficial from your perspective. Pakistan is by far a more complex country than Iraq, its population is approaching 200 million, a lot more than Iraq or Afghanistan's population. The reasoning is simple, terrorists are a bigger threat to Pakistani security than American security, and 9/11 is a conspiracy for anyone who understands physics. America should not even be in Afghanistan

Drone strikes are beneficial for Pakistanis since these make Pakistan safer from terrorist attacks. While it is a burden on the US taxpayers, it is nice that Americans are helping out Pakistanis with drone strikes even in tough economic times. Hope Pakistanis recognize that it is certainly a charitable act in good spirit. Happy holidays.

Why even try to mend it. Cut them off no money no military supplies, no nothing let them rot in the hell they created all on there own. Pakistan has nothing the west needs, Above all cut immigration from pakistan dont let them in.

We remain extremely appalled and highly concerned about the continued stone age cultural and barbaric social practices prevalent in the name of Islam in my country PAKISTAN. Much to our chagrin, the human rights organizations are either turning a blind eye towards these injustices or are being paid off to look the other way. We are particularly aware of the victims of such practices, namely, young children and women especially those women who are pregnant and are bearing a female embryo. They are being mistreated or simply sacrificed in the name of their Islam. To the civilized world such atrocious behavior is repulsive and is condemned in the strongest words. We urge the Pakistani Muslims to immediately cease and desist from such unacceptable norms. To them we say the world is watching and will see to it that justice prevails.

World is fed up with us Indians dual faced policies. We beg for technology and money in front of Russia, UK and same time will beg in front of America. At the same time we are also begging Muslim nations like Saudis and UAE for grant and money and permission for export of our man power same time call their religion cult when they are feeding us. Due to these dual policies no one is listening us and we are left behind despite having golden chance to take revenge from Pakistan after 9/11 but we missed opportunity. We are no where in Afghanistan and now totally dependent on Pakistan to reach central Asia Iran and Afghanistan. Only solution is to split India more as we did in 1947. Seven sisters do not want to live with us. We should give Calcutta to Bangladesh. Sikhs want a country of their own. Khalistan is alive and kicking. Kashmiris are almost free as we are not welcome their. We need to break India into further small pieces as population is out of control and Govt in North India just interested in destabilization of other countries. Rest of North India should be given to Pakistan for better Government and infrastructure. We.south Indians are looked down upon us due to our black skin color and Da its are treated like animals. Pakistan successfully defended its rights and political interests in Afghanistan and whole world cant do anything instead giving whole region to Pakistan in plate. This is due to corrupt and impotent North Indian Govt that whole world is laughing on us despite our size and population our importance for America, NATO and rest of world is no more than Maldives. How long will we cry for help from others when we are too scared of Pakistan and do not take action ourselves.

Reagan made a colossal mistake by trusting Pakistan, and the US paid the price on 9/11 a decade after Reagan. Bush made the same mistake and Pakistan harbored bin Laden. President Obama has a better policy of giving aid with one hand, while controlling the joystick of a drone with the other hand to enforce Pakistani compliance. This balanced approach from President Obama will help mend ties and build better relationship with Pakistan.

Pakistan is a TWO FACE SERPENT. A source of financing and inspiration for all terrorists in the world the likes of which have attack thousand of innocents everyday across the world. A place where these extremists seek refuge after attacking neighboring countries. Pakistan is a Smithsonian specimen. Like humpty dumpty even USA, NATO and the entire free world are having a tough time holding it together. Living in the shadows of China, defined by India, haunted by
Bangladesh and Balochistan and punctuated by zillion Terror Organizations,
Pakistan is struggling to find a meaning for its existence and a place in the new world order. How can it stand up? certainly not on its feet .....perhaps on its knees to seek redemption for double crossing USA in Afghanistan.
Split Pakistan into three parts, give Balochistan to the Baloch’s the tribal and ungoverned part to Afghanistan and give other half to India. This will make it governable and manageable and this will generate tremendous economic demand for western nations, be democratically more efficient and easy to manage,

I am not one to mince words. The common denominator to all the bad things happening in the region is my own country PAKISTAN! Yes, folks...PAKISTAN ! Look at all the countries surrounding that are reeling in TERROR because of this country when it itself is reeling under extremism and poverty and intolerance...... Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, and now Myanmar. The mother of all trouble makers ... yes folks, hold on to your chairs !!! is PAKISTAN !!! IT IS NOT COINCIDENCE !! IT IS BY DESIGN and ITS CULT RELIGION BELEIVER CITIZENS !!! Pakistan cannot stop meddling in the affairs of these fledgling nations...financing terrorists...inciting communal violence, fanning religious intolerance. This already has started backfiring at this filthy nation so let this country explode by itself. It is already an inferno that will be uncontrollable. The conditions are ripe for this to happen as Pakistanis all about terrorism that is threatening its survival in its current geo-political form.
Split Pakistan into three parts, give Balochistan to the Baloch’s the tribal and ungoverned part to Afghanistan and give other half to India. This will make it governable and manageable and this will generate tremendous economic demand for western nations, be democratically more efficient and easy to manage,

We have enough of hunger, aids, malnutrition and slums in India. enough is enough...we need to feed our hungry children.. Pakistan is out of our reach now..no matter how hard we try Pakistan wont bend on knees and after Clinton's statement its obvious Pakistan is winning due to their legit stance on Afghanistan..Their policies are winning while we r losing on every front..Time to embrace the realities of life..The only option is further break down of India as our Govt is unable to feed the hungry and oppressed..We should give North India to Pakistan including Kashmir so that we can concentrate on the well being of real Indians living in south who not only differ from North Indians in appearance and skin color but also culture and food..We eat vegetables and lentils in South and north Indians are aggressive as they eat meat like Pakistanis..We have to feed our hungry by stopping the money we spend on terrorist camps in India and give money to poor..

We have enough of hunger, aids, malnutrition and slums in India. enough is enough...we need to feed our hungry children.. Pakistan is out of our reach..no matter how hard we try Pakistan wont bend on knees and after Clinton statement its obvious

India needs to stop funding terrorists and needs to shut terrorist camps on its soil..We have inflicted enough harm by funding LTT and terrorists in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kashmir and Nepal..We are also trying to bully a small country Maldives who is showing us eyes due to our two faced policies and terrorist activities in this region..Pakistan foreign policy is a spectacular display of patience and guts and I credit PAKISTAN for this achievement..India has to give more rights to Dalits and after Palestinians claiming rights of satate Kashmiris and Sikhs will follow soon...India should give Kashmir and North India to Pakistan and 7 sisters should be free so that the hungry children of India can survive in peace and harmony..where money is not spent on arms rather on education and health...

THANK YOU …. THANK YOU…. THANK YOU!!!!
FOR MAKING USA SAFE FOR MAKING THE WORLD SAFE>>>>>>>>>>>>
Since Sep 11, 2001, over 200,000 Pakistani civilians, armed forces personnel have either sacrificed their lives or wounded; more than 3.5 million have been displaced while the country has lost over US $ 1 Trillion due to terrorism.

Despite sacrifices, Pakistan was still engaged in 'the war for world peace”.

No other country has even come close to selflessly sacrificing so much.

Pakistan, no one can ever repay you enough for your contributions.
You deserve a permanent seat in the UN Security Council for your contributions to world peace and emergence of a new world order. We welcome your rise as the new regional military power. God Speed.

It is very funny to read that U.S needs to mend its relations with Pakistan. It indicates that Hillary's/US policies towards the whole region didn't work and created bigger mess than they could handle. After catching Osama on Pakistani soil , it was very clear to whole world that Pakistan in protecting terrorists. So why U.S feels the need to mend relations ?. U.S should have taken advantage of Osama's death and pressed Pakistan for others like mullah Omar and Taliban leadership but they didn't do it for some unexplained reason ! This clearly means U.S policy makers including Hillary Clinton did not take advantage of favorable situation and let the opportunity slip. Now Obama is in second term and he has to preside over Afghan pullout in 2014 when all of the core Taliban leadership intact safely in Pakistan. When U.S pulls out in 2014 it will be similar to Soviet pullout of the past and Taliban will be back officially. No matter how it is presented to rest of the world, it is still a grave situation.

Because there are few people left in the US who rally believe that Osama was killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Because Hillary Clinton knows that it was a concocted story to boost budgetary support for failed mission in Afghanistan. Because Clinton knows that US would be needing Pakistan in withdrawing the troops from Afghanistan in 2014. And because common people like you don't know the inside stories hence the silly questions.

WHAT????? Man......the ONLY reason the U.S. would need Pakistan for the withdrawl of our troops, is to get them to STOP helping to ATTACK US!!! That is what they do...and turn around and stick out their hand for some money. Bunch of lying, thieving, people who cause more trouble in the world than any TWO countries put together!! Look at most of the terrorist attacks in Europe...and India....MOST ALL have ties going back to Pakistan.

December 3, 2012 at 8:50 pm |

JCB

Well, it seems that it is not just Hillary's policies, but most of the ones we have taken with Pakistan since the late1970's always leave us coming up short. Part of it is the Pakistani culture which does not include HONESTY, INTEGRITYor COOPERATION!! They have been taking us for a ride, and an EXPENSIVE one at that for many many years and there was no real term reason for them to have us capture or kill Osama. If he is gone....well....the spigot gets turned way way down. Then they will not be able to spend most of the money we give them to fight the insurgents, which they turn around and spend on weapons to use against the Indian's.

I am not claiming that they are the only deceptfull ones, or that we are totally honest at all times, but it is like apples and oranges with them. I do agree with you that Obama's plans seems to work better, which is to hold them accountable and turn off the money supply from time to time. And not run scared when some of our politicians cry buuuhhh who about scaring them off but holding their foot to the fire. As a US citizen, I a tired of beings S__T on by some of these but_ho_e countries, and it is time we kecked em back in the ba_ _ s!! Just some thoughts....., and maybe a few feelings :-).

Pakistan has become a cancer for this world. A source of financing and inspiration for all terrorists in the region the likes of which attack innocents everyday across the world. A place where these extremists seek refuge after attacking neighboring countries and NATO forces and American troops. Pakistan is a Smithsonian specimen. Like humpty dumpty even USA, NATO and the entire free world are having a tough time holding it together. Living in the shadows of India, defined by China, and punctuated by Terror Organizations such as Al Qaeda, Lashkar E Taibba, Jesh E Muhammad, Jamaad Ud Dawa
find a meaning for its existence and a place in the new world order. How can it stand up? Certainly not on its feet .....perhaps on its knees to seek redemption for double crossing USA in Afghanistan and Iraq.For be fooling entire world in the name of war on terror and OBL, hiding it and making sure to loot billions from US taxpayers money.
Split Pakistan, give the Balochistan to Balochs, tribal and ungoverned part to Afghanistan and give other half to India. This will make it governable and manageable and this will generate tremendous economic demand for western nations, be democratically more efficient and easy to manage,

Shahnawaz Ansari is an indian hindu in muslim name. he also goes by the name of @lovUSA, @saurov and many other IDs. I am sooo ashamed of my fellow hindu indians plagiarizing/copying comments from others without due credit. 90% of indian students in india or abroad are involved in cheating cases. this is small reflection of the degradation of Indian culture and society. Shame on us indians. my name is shankar and my pappy calls me Shanku the Skunku. I smell like a skunk. I am from batinda, india and i am ashamed of my country.

Let's not kid ourselves. We had to invade Afghanistan to save our pride and to show the world that we had the financing and forbearance to fight this war on ground chasing the shadows. But ego aside, we all know that winning the endeavors in Afghanistan is not possible without Pakistan. Yes, we have cajoled Pakistan over the years, threatened them, poor boyed them, played the neighbor against them, let the congressional dogs lose doing the god guy – bad guy routine and done the carrot – stick dance. All to no avail. We tried partnering with India in Afghanistan and that has been a disaster. We may have won a battle or two but are on the verge of losing the war. We have hit a wall.

And "we" will continue to suffer losses in this non-war until our elected officials stop telling everyone that "we are not at war with Islam". Stop segregating the conflicts into Afghanistan/ Pakistan/ Indonesia/ Phillipines/ Iran/ Iraq/ ..... Think jihad. Islam is at war with the world. Jihad. Study jihad. Lose sleep.

Pakistan has no INTEREST in seing things get better for Afganistan, or for that matter, that part of the world. They like keeping things stirred up and in chaos. What in the world are you even talking about..."It is time we did the Tango with Pakistan.....Long term alliance..." They are not interested in any long term alliance in which they are not needed to stir the pot..just to take the focus off the problems if they are solved, and then it would be placed on them.!!! We have attempted in many instances to work things out with them, and all they do is BLAME us for this...and for that. Almost like Iran....except they have not called us the GREAT SATAN like Iran. But they have plenty of other names for us :-) It is always the US's fault...or the CIA...or.....Pakistan is sooo paranoid because of all the unrest and terorism they forment, that they are worried about it coming back on them.

The time has now come to do the tango with Pakistan. That takes boldness and a desire to commit one self. And that is what we need to do. We need to form a strategic partnership with Pakistan...a long term alliance...and a commitment. We need to lay the cards on the table and not pull the rug from under them. At the same time we need to make them understand the consequences of going wayward on us. We need to evolve a common vision...and common grounds for constructive engagement. We then need to support them and then let them implement the common vision in the region under our supervision. After all, they can do it more productively, efficiently and economically than we can. That is for sure... a lesson we have learned the hard way.

Together we shall prevail, as we have done in the past while overcoming insurmountable odds. After all, the Americans and Pakistanis share common values and history in the struggle for their Independence and their fight for survival.
God Speed. "In God We Trust".

Pakistan, my country is a TWO FACE SERPENT. A source of financing and inspiration for all terrorists in the world the likes of which have attack thousand of innocents everyday across the world. A place where these extremists seek refuge after attacking neighboring countries. Pakistan is a Smithsonian specimen. Like humpty dumpty even USA, NATO and the entire free world are having a tough time holding it together. Living in the shadows of China, defined by India, haunted by
Bangladesh and Balochistan and punctuated by zillion Terror Organizations,
Pakistan is struggling to find a meaning for its existence and a place in the new world order. How can it stand up? certainly not on its feet .....perhaps on its knees to seek redemption for double crossing USA in Afghanistan.
Split Pakistan into three parts, give Balochistan to the Baloch’s the tribal and ungoverned part to Afghanistan and give other half to India. This will make it governable and manageable and this will generate tremendous economic demand for western nations, be democratically more efficient and easy to manage,

I am not one to mince words. The common denominator to all the bad things happening in the region is my own country PAKISTAN! Yes, folks...PAKISTAN ! Look at all the countries surrounding that are reeling in TERROR because of this country when it itself is reeling under extremism and poverty and intolerance...... Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, and now Myanmar. The mother of all trouble makers ... yes folks, hold on to your chairs !!! is PAKISTAN !!! IT IS NOT COINCIDENCE !! IT IS BY DESIGN and ITS CULT RELIGION BELEIVER CITIZENS !!! Pakistan cannot stop meddling in the affairs of these fledgling nations...financing terrorists...inciting communal violence, fanning religious intolerance. This already has started backfiring at this filthy nation so let this country explode by itself. It is already an inferno that will be uncontrollable. The conditions are ripe for this to happen as Pakistanis all about terrorism that is threatening its survival in its current geo-political form.

December 3, 2012 at 9:13 am |

Pete

We remain extremely appalled and highly concerned about the continued stone age cultural and barbaric social practices prevalent in the name of Islam in my country PAKISTAN. Much to our chagrin, the human rights organizations are either turning a blind eye towards these injustices or are being paid off to look the other way. We are particularly aware of the victims of such practices, namely, young children and women especially those women who are pregnant and are bearing a female embryo. They are being mistreated or simply sacrificed in the name of their Islam. To the civilized world such atrocious behavior is repulsive and is condemned in the strongest words. We urge the Pakistani Muslims to immediately cease and desist from such unacceptable norms. To them we say the world is watching and will see to it that justice prevails.

December 3, 2012 at 9:14 am |

Shankar H

Shahnawaz Ansari is an indian hindu in muslim name. he also goes by the name of @lovUSA, @saurov and many other IDs. I am sooo ashamed of my fellow hindu indians plagiarizing/copying comments from others without due credit. 90% of indian students in india or abroad are involved in cheating cases. this is small reflection of the degradation of Indian culture and society. Shame on us indians. my name is shankar and my pappy calls me Shanku the Skunku. I smell like a skunk. I am from batinda, india and i am ashamed of my country.

December 3, 2012 at 10:36 am |

Shankar H

i am sooo ashamed of my fellow hindu indians plagiarizing/copying comments from others without due credit. 90% of indian students in india or abroad are involved in cheating cases. this is small reflection of the degradation of Indian culture and society. Shame on us indians. my name is shankar and my pappy calls me Shanku the Skunku. I smell like a skunk. I am from batinda, india and i am ashamed of my country.

Pakistan is addicted to terrorism. Terrorism is so deeply embedded in its psyche, culture, religion and its way of life. The civilized world can continue to mend its relationship with Pakistan all it wants, but it will be very difficult to Pakistanis to give up terrorism since it goes against their nature.

What's the problem here? The U.S already owns the Pakistani government lock, stock and barrel! They've been bribed to the hilt and carry out every order we give them, including renewing the civil war against the Taliban in 2009!

What pees me off is America's brash disregard for a countries sovereignty on a matter that was created by themselves. So America can take up operations anywhere in the world as it suits them and then later try and patch up their wrong doings by smothering the country in flowers and sweet talk? I think not! The world has evolved much faster than America realizes and if it carries on treating countries this way it will end up being a cess pit of terrorism that it has created around the world. Are Americans so blind to realize they fight wars around the world because of their own governments failings years before? Life is not about who has the largest military or who has the largest bombs and fastest planes, it's about PEOPLE and America's disregard for people is what makes them looked down upon around the world. Ironic too that the American government treats it's own people as puppets too and are only interested in them when it comes to elections and keeping them in a job. Corrupt to the core

You are delusional. Pakistan hid the world's most notorious Terrorist in the World. The don't recognize diplomatic immunity. Their intelligence sources tip off terrorist from information the CIA provides. Why in the hell would we want to mend a relationship that was never there to begin with. If we were smart, our government would just stop giving them money and leave them to their on devises.

thank you bob and please do so and leave us alone, get the hell outta here. all the problems are our own and let us solve them. we dont need your money, we dont need your help

December 3, 2012 at 8:38 am |

Candid1

Umm... if Pakistanis were hiding OBL, then how come they provided the initial tip that led us to him? Get some knowledge, get some facts, then apply logic, and stop making the rest of us look like ignorant fools.

December 3, 2012 at 1:51 pm |

Lord Puda

USA needs to take a step back and think of this whole situation. Its easy to fault Pakistan singularly for the ongoing terrorism and terrorist sympathizer. But is memory so short? Who did create these so called terrorist? Who armed and funded them with drug money? Who backed the so called Talibans during the Soviet invasion into Afghanistan? It was Uncle Sam. Once the Soviet occupation ended the USA dropped both Pakistan and Afghanistan like hot potatoes. This menace is of USA's own making and in all fairness restraint and patience needs to be exercised. Cutting off economic & military support to Pakistan at this juncture will only create more ill will against the United States. I know common sense is very uncommon but flexing muscles at this juncture is not a prudent approach. God help all if the current "corrupt" yet non extremist government is replaced by an extremist regime in "nuclear" capable Pakistan.

Right like people have never waged wars for secular reasons. Hitler went to war because he wanted to impose jehovah's witness-ism on humanity and Tamils in SriLanks were blowing themselves up because they werent being allowed to sing "Bhajan" on Colombo main road, right?

Can't u think of any political and socio-economic reasons for this mess??

It always amazes me when I see Americans, like Martin(above) claiming moral high grounds. While, we are coming up with stupid preconditions, how about prosecuting Bush for the war crimes commited in Iraq first and also the drone pilots for every civillian killed? Americans pursue their foreign policy interests as ruthelesly as the militants do their perverted ideology driven ones. Nobodyz taking the moral route. So stop claiming fake moral high grounds and setting senseless preconditions – just solve the da*n conflicts whenever an opportunity arrises and move on. People are seriously suffering and u want a stupid appology!!! ??? Give me a break

Thank you, Jalal. You nailed it good! The same goes for Sarwar below, too!

December 3, 2012 at 8:28 am |

Sarwar

First the Americans need to apologise for arming the Afghans and for dirty policies of which the chosen representatives were not aware.

Here in the east we observe that the american policy is designed by CIA which does not hold moral values of civilized governance. Americans need to check the powers and mandate of your security agencies

Thank you for displaying your ignorance above, 66th Strategic Command & Operations Unit. We have no business in Afghanistan let alone Pakistan! We need to just vacate this area like the Russians did back in 1989 and that's all there is to it!!!

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CNN's Security Clearance examines national and global security, terrorism and intelligence, as well as the economic, military, political and diplomatic effects of it around the globe, with contributions from CNN's national security team in Washington and CNN journalists around the world.